wachuko
Well travelled
- Location
- Ocala and Orlando, FL
Folks, I do no have a Himalayan yet... I am planning on buying one. A 2023 (or 2022) in Gravel Gray or Granite Black.
In the meantime, I wanted to start documenting the changes that I want to make in the pursue of making the bike as light as possible. Knowing that I will be adding weight to it for the trips I have planned, I need to off-set some of that weight gain as much as possible.
Please, please, those that have made changes towards lighter parts, please chime in.
So far, this is the list that I have:
A. Performance:
1. TEC Performance Camshaft
2. Hitchcock's Air injection delete kit
3. For better brake performance (I did the same on my GT 650) - EBC HH brake pads for front and rear
4. For additional brake performance, replace front caliper with Harley Davidson HD Street 750 Front Brake Caliper 41300158A - Uses the same brake pads as stock. Difference is that the cylinders are 28mm vs 26 mm in the stock Himalayan caliper. Idea from this video
5. Another option, is installing different size sprockets... some good suggestions from fellow forum members.
6. Guessing I will need something like a FuelX with all the mods done...
B. Weight reduction (still researching, all these numbers from other owners or product websites):
1. RK Takasago 520 pitch chain and sprocket set - 3 lbs lighter than stock
2. YSS rear suspension - 4 lbs lighter than stock and would allow a 5mm drop in height (I know that is not much, but anything that helps me have my feet planted on the road is a plus)
3. Lithium (LiFePO4) battery - 5.5 lbs lighter than stock - one option IMP08-X
4. Delkevic carbon fiber complete exhaust system - 10 lbs lighter than stock - also need a spark arrester baffle
5. Wheels - replace stock rims with aluminum replacements - 10 lbs - I will replace with a set from Bart Factory
6. Tubeless setup - I think, have not weighted this, that getting rid of the inner tubes would save another 3lbs
7. Going solo so will be removing passenger pegs - ? lbs ?
8. Removing bumper peak. I really do not get why RE added that... just for looks I am guessing - ? lbs ? Or, leave the peak and remove the lower fender
9. Remove EVAP system - ? lbs ?
10. Hitchcock's Brake disc contoured for rear wheel. They claim it is lighter than the stock unit - ? lbs?
11. Replace all hardware (nuts and bolts) with titanium hardware. On this one, the cost is not worth the amount of weight loss.... but wanted to add it to the list...
12. Bar ends - ? lbs ?
13. Royal Enfield Adventure handle bar in aluminum - they claim it is 20% less weight than stock handlebar another option is to go with Renthal Handle bars.
14. Remove license plate mount. Relocate plate between turn signals - ? lbs ?
15. If not using, remove front pannier racks. Not sure yet on this. Yes, those are heavy and high up but they do provide some level of protection (if only minimal) - 6.5 lbs
16. Solo rider. So I really do not need the passenger pillion seat. I can replace that with the LUGGAGE PANEL, to replace pillion seat, Himalayan PART No. 91481 from Hitchcock's or some home made aluminum panel... and with that I can also remove the rear rack as this modification gives me a place to have the rolls with tent, chair, table, sleeping bag, etc. - ? lbs ?
C. Additional modifications:
1. Change headlight to LED. Proper LED headlight, not just swapping to a LED bulb.
2. Better seat. I like the one @Norton.Rider added to his bike... Seat Concepts ... I do hope this one is lower and lighter than stock. EDIT: Not lighter and not lower than stock... so I will stay with the stock seat
3. Replace all relays as preventive measure
4. Royal Enfield black side panniers - I do not need the third/top box.
5. Engine guard with better coverage
6. A set of RAM Arm mirrors - similar to these
7. Auxiliary LED driving/fog lights
8. Hand guards
9. Side stand larger foot plate - This clamps to the bottom of the existing side/prop stand to give an increased surface area to help prevent sinking in soft ground.
10. Rear brake cylinder guard
11. Larger foot pegs
12. Front fender raisers - if I keep the front fender...
13. When replacing the tires, compare also their weight. Considerable differences between brands.
14. Foldable gear shifter arm/peg - like this one
15. Replace all bearings with better quality units. Similar to what I did on my Continental GT 650
16. Replace the original starter relay with a Yamaha starter relay and the power/ground cables with 8 gauge cables.. What @Old Man Himmie did - link to post
D. Spare parts for common problems:
1. Fuel pump assembly - common issue. Good insurance to have it handy.
2. Relays - I have spares from when I bought them for the GT 650. So in addition to changing them when I get the bike, I will keep a few spares in the bike.
3. Kawasaki brake light switch - better copper contacts instead of the steel contact in the stock switch.
E. Useful links:
1. New Himalayan FAQ Thread - outstanding thread and pdf with documented issues/recommendations
2. Adventurising your Himalayan
I will update the list as I go...
In the meantime, I wanted to start documenting the changes that I want to make in the pursue of making the bike as light as possible. Knowing that I will be adding weight to it for the trips I have planned, I need to off-set some of that weight gain as much as possible.
Please, please, those that have made changes towards lighter parts, please chime in.
So far, this is the list that I have:
A. Performance:
1. TEC Performance Camshaft
2. Hitchcock's Air injection delete kit
3. For better brake performance (I did the same on my GT 650) - EBC HH brake pads for front and rear
4. For additional brake performance, replace front caliper with Harley Davidson HD Street 750 Front Brake Caliper 41300158A - Uses the same brake pads as stock. Difference is that the cylinders are 28mm vs 26 mm in the stock Himalayan caliper. Idea from this video
5. Another option, is installing different size sprockets... some good suggestions from fellow forum members.
6. Guessing I will need something like a FuelX with all the mods done...
B. Weight reduction (still researching, all these numbers from other owners or product websites):
1. RK Takasago 520 pitch chain and sprocket set - 3 lbs lighter than stock
2. YSS rear suspension - 4 lbs lighter than stock and would allow a 5mm drop in height (I know that is not much, but anything that helps me have my feet planted on the road is a plus)
3. Lithium (LiFePO4) battery - 5.5 lbs lighter than stock - one option IMP08-X
4. Delkevic carbon fiber complete exhaust system - 10 lbs lighter than stock - also need a spark arrester baffle
5. Wheels - replace stock rims with aluminum replacements - 10 lbs - I will replace with a set from Bart Factory
6. Tubeless setup - I think, have not weighted this, that getting rid of the inner tubes would save another 3lbs
7. Going solo so will be removing passenger pegs - ? lbs ?
8. Removing bumper peak. I really do not get why RE added that... just for looks I am guessing - ? lbs ? Or, leave the peak and remove the lower fender
9. Remove EVAP system - ? lbs ?
10. Hitchcock's Brake disc contoured for rear wheel. They claim it is lighter than the stock unit - ? lbs?
11. Replace all hardware (nuts and bolts) with titanium hardware. On this one, the cost is not worth the amount of weight loss.... but wanted to add it to the list...
12. Bar ends - ? lbs ?
13. Royal Enfield Adventure handle bar in aluminum - they claim it is 20% less weight than stock handlebar another option is to go with Renthal Handle bars.
14. Remove license plate mount. Relocate plate between turn signals - ? lbs ?
15. If not using, remove front pannier racks. Not sure yet on this. Yes, those are heavy and high up but they do provide some level of protection (if only minimal) - 6.5 lbs
16. Solo rider. So I really do not need the passenger pillion seat. I can replace that with the LUGGAGE PANEL, to replace pillion seat, Himalayan PART No. 91481 from Hitchcock's or some home made aluminum panel... and with that I can also remove the rear rack as this modification gives me a place to have the rolls with tent, chair, table, sleeping bag, etc. - ? lbs ?
C. Additional modifications:
1. Change headlight to LED. Proper LED headlight, not just swapping to a LED bulb.
2. Better seat. I like the one @Norton.Rider added to his bike... Seat Concepts ... I do hope this one is lower and lighter than stock. EDIT: Not lighter and not lower than stock... so I will stay with the stock seat
3. Replace all relays as preventive measure
4. Royal Enfield black side panniers - I do not need the third/top box.
5. Engine guard with better coverage
6. A set of RAM Arm mirrors - similar to these
7. Auxiliary LED driving/fog lights
8. Hand guards
9. Side stand larger foot plate - This clamps to the bottom of the existing side/prop stand to give an increased surface area to help prevent sinking in soft ground.
10. Rear brake cylinder guard
11. Larger foot pegs
12. Front fender raisers - if I keep the front fender...
13. When replacing the tires, compare also their weight. Considerable differences between brands.
14. Foldable gear shifter arm/peg - like this one
15. Replace all bearings with better quality units. Similar to what I did on my Continental GT 650
16. Replace the original starter relay with a Yamaha starter relay and the power/ground cables with 8 gauge cables.. What @Old Man Himmie did - link to post
- New Starter Relay Compatible With/Replacement For YAMAHA V-Star 1300 Deluxe XVS13BG 15 16 3D8-81940-00-00 12V https://a.co/d/96DQr0x
- Starter Solenoid Relay Plug... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085NL656T?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
D. Spare parts for common problems:
1. Fuel pump assembly - common issue. Good insurance to have it handy.
2. Relays - I have spares from when I bought them for the GT 650. So in addition to changing them when I get the bike, I will keep a few spares in the bike.
3. Kawasaki brake light switch - better copper contacts instead of the steel contact in the stock switch.
E. Useful links:
1. New Himalayan FAQ Thread - outstanding thread and pdf with documented issues/recommendations
2. Adventurising your Himalayan
I will update the list as I go...
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